Dharma Bindusara FF (Chap 3 page 5)

Chapter 1: Destined to meet

The day has started off in the small town of Champanagar as the sun peeped above the horizon glittering the waters of the Ganga River. The residents immersed themselves in to the daily course of life as the day began. Some men have gathered on the banks of the river to initiate the day with Suryapranam and the ladies are busy filling their earthen pots to collect water for cooking and other utilities. This routine hustle bustle of the township was suddenly interrupted by the blunt beating of the Nagada, which indicated the arrival of the royal announcement group. Residents came out of their houses and workshops to listen to the news.

"Today is the coronation ceremony of the crown prince as the successor to the thrown. The king has organised a grand feast to commemorate the occasion and all the residents of Champanagar are invited to this auspicious event. Come and shower your love and support to the crown prince declared the newsreader with a proud gleam on his face.

"Long live the prince! Long live the king! Long live the kingdom, hailed the happy crowd on hearing the good news. The announcement troupe departed towards the next village to circulate the news.

"The king has always looked after us as his own children and now it is our turn to support and love his son as our own exclaimed the village head. " Everyone of us should attend the event and give our blessings to the prince he advised in an orderly tone.

Everyone nodded in agreement and the crowd started dispersing.

"What if the crown prince is not as good as the king? questioned a sharp voice from the crowd. Every eye turned towards the petite figure standing in the middle of the gathering. The pair of large brown eyes adorning a gorgeous pale heart shaped face glanced at the village head and quickly ran through the crowd. The long wavy tresses left loose on one side of her shoulder were softly touching her cheeks. She lifted the loose end of the angvastra (dupatta) draped across her right shoulder to her waist and wrapped it around her wrist and slowly made her way towards the front of the gathering.

"I mean, we all know the King is very generous and so far what we have heard of the prince is not pleasant, Badrinath kaka. So how can we judge beforehand kaka?she said with a mischievous voice.

" We should Badrinath attempt to answer was cut by a confident feminine voice.

"We should never question our lord's integrity Dharma. The prince will be the future king and I am sure he will follow his father's footstep of a dutiful ruler, said firmly a middle aged, yet graciously beautiful woman making her way out of the crowd. Her face has the touch of royalty while her attire is simple and very ordinary.

" Well said Nandini praised Badrinath and then turning towards Dharma he continued " Dharma, given the upbringing he got from his father, we can expect everything but a cruel ruler

"I hope likewise, Dharma said with a toothy smile.

The crowd dispersed.

Dharma moved close towards Nandini " Maa we are going to Magadh for the first time. I heard it is the city of dreams. Have you been there before? " Enquired a curious Dharma

"No Dharma, I never been there faintly answered Nandini with uncertainty. Some strange visions zapped through her mind. So many times in all these years she has heard the name of Magadh and the royal family of Chakravarti Samrat Chandragupta Maurya. But unknowingly she has avoided every opportunity to visit Magadh. She has an undefined attraction to the city and a sincere dexterity towards the king though she never had the chance to meet him.

"Maa,,Maa " Dharma jerked Nandini out of her trance.

" Dharma, I will not be able to attend the feast. I have to take care of you grandpa. But I cannot let you go alone said a worried Nandini.

" Maa don't worry, I am not going alone. Vasudha, Garima and all my friends will also be going. And anyways someone has to decide whether the crown prince is worthy of the throne Dharma said crossing her arms with a naughty grin.

"Dharma! Again Nandini tried to box Dharma's ear, but she escaped.

" I am going to ask my friends when to start for Magadha Dharma yelled running away.

"Dharma! Nandini watched the playful Dharma with a satisfying smile. She closed her eyes and prayed " Mahadev though I haven't given birth to her, but she means the world to me. Please take care of her.

*-*-*-*-*-*

The guards became alert with the nearing in sounds of footsteps. They bowed down in respect as a tall frame draped in long silk gown strode past them and opened the door to the prince's chamber.

"Your highness, the prince gets furious if entered without prior permission,mumbled one of the guards in a scary tone.

She stiffened and glared at the guards who kept their heads bowed down terrified of her fearsome rage. "How dare you speak to me like that? Have you forgotten that I am the Queen of Magadh you moron? hissed Helena.

The guards are well aware of Helena's temperament but what worries them more is the Prince's wrath. Previously they have faced the dreadful consequences of allowing people without permission.

"But your highness the guard's words were cut short by a petrifying stare from the Queen.

Helena stomped into the room without notifying because she is one of the few people who have the audacity to enter the Prince's room without permission. The prince is infamous in the royal family for his short temper and his intolerance towards any intrusion of his privacy.

Helena could not find the Prince inside the room and summoned his personal assistant.

"Where is the Prince? Today is his coronation". Helena enquired anxiously to Pratham

"He went for hunting your highness"

"What? Cried a startled Helena. "Why didn't you stop him Pratham" concern in her tone.

"I tried your highness, but he was in no mood to listen", answered Pratham obediently.

"The guest have started coming in and the Prince is expected in the assembly hall anytime. On the top he is nowhere to be found. What am I going to do? If his majesty comes to know, god knows how will I handle? " Helena blurted out in one breath. She impatiently moved from one end of the room to the other holding her forehead.

She stopped with the strike of a sudden realisation and rushed towards Pratham.

"You must know his whereabouts. Get him in the palace right away before the King comes to know. Tell him it is my order." Her voice stronger this time

"I am sorry your highness but he didn't tell him where he is going. I asked him numerous times but he didn't answer." Pratham replied with guilt

"Oh heavens Pratham!, exclaimed Helena clutching her golden locks in anger. "You have been assigned to attend to the Prince all the time. What is the use if you cannot execute a simple task of keeping note of the Prince's whereabouts?" Helena rebuked.

"Good lord! Where is he?" she released a sigh.

*-*-*-*-*-*

Dharma was amazed with the magnificient architecture of Magadh. The city stands on the flanks of the holy Ganga and is guarded on all sides by high rising fort walls. The city is decked up with colours and flowers to celebrate the coronation of the Prince. She along with her friends took a small tour along the western sides of the city into the woods.

"Samrat has built a spectacular city. But will the Prince be able to hold the same galore? Dharma asked in disbelief.

"What makes you so sceptical about his nobility Dharma Vasudha questioned innocently

"Vasudha it is said that the Prince is very introvert and no one has seen him laughing till day. A King who cannot express his own emotion is not capable to understand his subject's feelings Dharma answered thoughtfully

"That's true. But I heard he is very handsome and charismatic declared Garima as if in a dream

"You cannot run a kingdom with charm. A successful king should be righteous and considerate. Good looks doesn't make him a good ruler as well, said an animated Dharma.

"What is his name by the way? asked Vasudha

"Bindusara answered Dharma.

*-*-*-*-*-*

The arrow was held tightly pointing towards a beautiful white cockatoo siting on the branch unaware of the forthcoming death. A pair of hazel piercing eyes was fixed on the arrow aiming the prey. The muscular arms hardened as the grip on the bow was released and the arrow hit right on the eye of the bird.

"Bravo! big brother. What a shot! "a lean form jumped with joy

"No more challenges Alice, lets retreat to the palace, ordered the lithe physique mounted on the back of a horse. As he emerged from the trees leading the horse and the bow in one hand, the well-defined broad chest loosely wrapped by an angvastram and the slender toned torso demanded attention.

"Can you get me that rabbit please? Then we leave, I promise Alice requested sheepishly.

"Fine, but just that one he said turning towards Alice.

He aimed at the rabbit busy nibbling on the grass. His well-trained muscle flexed as he stretched the string and released the arrow, but before it could hit its target a figure appeared suddenly sprinting from the bush and picked up the prey. The arrow tore through the angvastram of the unexpected guest, plucked it off her body and landed on the grass.

The chisel shaped face became rugged with sheer irritation culminating from the miss of the target. He threw the bow with annoyance and charged towards the saviour of his missed target. He held her on either sides of her arm and pulled her closer to find the most beautiful set of eyes he has ever seen staring up at him, scared from the sudden shock.

Who are you? How dare you intrude into my space? He shouted clenching his teeth

"I am Dharma. You cannot kill innocent creatures for your pleasure. Came a sharp reply

"And who are you to ask me this in the first place? Dharma fumed back

Roshni se bhaare bhaare

Bhaare bhaare naina tere

"I am Bindusara, the crown prince. This is my kingdom. And No one orders me what to do

Roshni se bhaare bhaare

Bhaare bhaare naina tere

Chuke bole na chuna mujhe

* The song has been taken from the movie Ashoka

Chapter 2 coming soon. Don't forget to leave a comment on reading. Thank you so much.